Microsoft demos IllumiRoom projection system for the next Xbox

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During CES back in January Microsoft showed off a proof-of-concept room projection system it is calling IllumiRoom. It’s actually quite a simple idea that could have a major impact on your experience of games and other entertainment. What IllumiRoom does is to extend the visuals beyond the confines of your TV using a projector.

The CES video was quite short and can be viewed above, but Microsoft has now released a 5 minute video that offers up a lot more detail about how the system is intended to work. You can watch it below:

The video description states that IllumiRoom has been developed for use with the next Xbox, but Microsoft still refers to it as a proof-of-concept system. That suggests we won’t be seeing it as a peripheral at launch, instead it will be introduced later in the life of the console just like Kinect was.

That may not be a bad thing, though, as IllumiRoom is surely not going to be cheap. It consists of a short throw projector combined with a camera and depth sensor that sits in between the player and the TV. It can project visuals from the game across an entire wall in a number of ways, limiting the information to just key events, lighting, effects, or projecting all the game’s visuals.

What’s clear is the potential it has for visual impact when playing a game or even watching a movie. It reminds me of the Philips Ambilight system, only taken to the next level. Supporting it will require game developers add some hooks into each game, but it definitely seems to be worth it based on the visual feedback offered to players.

We also can’t forget that Microsoft isn’t the only company developing such a system. Sony has something similar which it showed off back in 2011, albeit projecting over an entire room not just a wall like IllumiRoom does. We don’t know if this is coming to the PS4, but Sony is at least thinking about such systems.